please don't trade Sean and Kevin

[larhur]

I really believe that Sean Gallagher abd Kevin Hart will both develop a hard sinking fastball for next season. Both hae a sinker but with the hard sinker being the pitch of the playoffs, both players have the arm and are smart, And I believe both players are watching the pitching and will make every effort to develop and refine the hard sinker. We would be crying in our beer if we traded either of these pitchers and they became good starters for someone else

[jersey cubs fan]

I would trade either, or both, in a trade that would net the Cubs a solid bat.

[Mephistopheles]

please trade both

[CUBZ99]

I would trade either, or both, in a trade that would net the Cubs a solid bat.

 

Do you trust Hendry to know what a solid bat is?

[jersey cubs fan]

I would trade either, or both, in a trade that would net the Cubs a solid bat.

 

Do you trust Hendry to know what a solid bat is?

 

No, but it's still the best option.

[Post Count Padder]

I would trade either, or both, in a trade that would net the Cubs a solid bat.

I gotta agree with Goony here. They might turn out to be solid, but if they can bring in a quality power bat, I'd make the deal. I just hope Hendry has the sense to not pull a Juan Pierre-like trade again.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Personally, I'd rather trade Marshall or Marquis (though, I doubt what value Marquis would have) before trading Gallagher or Hart. I'd also prefer to trade Veal before trading either of those. But, we need to improve the offense, so I don't think we can declare anyone untouchable. That being said, I really hope we don't trade Gallagher.

[Hosak8]

I would trade either, or both, in a trade that would net the Cubs a solid bat.

 

I hear that maple is pretty solid.

[weis21]

Personally, I'd rather trade Marshall or Marquis (though, I doubt what value Marquis would have) before trading Gallagher or Hart. I'd also prefer to trade Veal before trading either of those. But, we need to improve the offense, so I don't think we can declare anyone untouchable. That being said, I really hope we don't trade Gallagher.

 

My thoughts exactly. I can't go through another year of offense as inconsistent and at times anemic as this past.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Hart isnt going anywhere, but Gallagher is being brought up in the Tejada trade rumors.

[illiniguy]

please trade both

Are you that sold on Prior next year in the rotation? Or am I missing your 5th?

[Bruno7481]

Kevin Hart did a great job for the Cubs the last 3 weeks of the year, but lets not get too carried away with that.

 

It was 3 weeks....

[Outshined_One]

I would trade either, or both, in a trade that would net the Cubs a solid bat.

 

Do you trust Hendry to know what a solid bat is?

 

On the one hand, you have guys acquired via trade such as Lee, Lofton, Ramirez, Nomar (remember, it was a good deal at the time), and Barrett.

 

On the other hand, you have such luminaries as Pierre, Lawton, Hairston, and Bowen.

 

Tough call.

[SouthSideRyan]

please trade both

 

Not a fan of Gallagher?

[CuseCubFan69]

Kevin Hart did a great job for the Cubs the last 3 weeks of the year, but lets not get too carried away with that.

 

It was 3 weeks....

 

Not a bad idea to sell high for once.

[jersey cubs fan]

please trade both

Are you that sold on Prior next year in the rotation? Or am I missing your 5th?

 

Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis and Marshall are the Cubs 1-5 as things stand now. Gallagher, Hart, Prior and maybe a couple others are competing for the 5th spot, and if they trade one of the top 5, another spot might open, but trading both Gallagher and Hart doesn't really do a thing to the Cubs starting rotation.

[larhur]

it's fine talking about another bat but it is proven over again that pitching and defense win games, when you have Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, as the big bats, with DeRosa, Jones as lesser bats but still good, that is 5 solid bats, add defense from Blanco-Soto, Theriot, and it is not a bad team, lets say Cedeno beats out Theriot and he shows more punch, now if you can pick up a free agent or two?????

Our pitching is the most important thing to protect and/or improve.

Boston who has some of the most feared bats are down 3-1, beaten by pitching and defense

[Ding Dong Johnson]

it is proven over again that pitching and defense win games

 

where is the proof and why isn't everyone convinced?

[bukie]

I thought it was proven over and over again that you have to score to win. Pitching and defense alone can only really net you a tie.

[moorecg]

it is proven over again that pitching and defense win games

 

where is the proof and why isn't everyone convinced?

 

I'm not trying to be antagonistic, and am honestly just curious as to the answer to this question...

 

When was the last time what was considered a "bad" defensive team (however that is officially measured) won the World Series?

[MSG T]

it's fine talking about another bat but it is proven over again that pitching and defense win games, when you have Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, as the big bats, with DeRosa, Jones as lesser bats but still good, that is 5 solid bats, add defense from Blanco-Soto, Theriot, and it is not a bad team, lets say Cedeno beats out Theriot and he shows more punch, now if you can pick up a free agent or two?????

Our pitching is the most important thing to protect and/or improve.

Boston who has some of the most feared bats are down 3-1, beaten by pitching and defense

 

Colorado ranks 2nd in OPS and 8th in ERA in the NL... going to World Series.

 

San Diego ranks 1st in ERA and 14th in OPS...didn't make the playoffs.

 

 

I won't disagree that pitching and D are important, but you win by scoring more than your opponent. You need a good offense to do that.

 

And of all the names you listed there, the only good( or better) hitters are Lee, ARam, Sori and DeRosa. Soto may be, but I still want to see him behind the plate for a full season before I make a call. Jones is bad and Theriot and Blanco are nearly craptacular. Throw Murton in there and that's one more good hitter.

 

I'd prefer 5 good( or slightly better) and 3 mashers. That's a good offense, and if done properly, not overly costly.

[TheDude]

please trade both

 

Not a fan of Gallagher?

 

I doubt that's it. Fans are always crying that the Cubs don't sell high. Here is an opportunity to sell high on some extra pieces, so I'm guessing that is where he is coming from (at least, that is where I'm coming from with the same sentiment).

[MSG T]

As an example, I'll add a couple of the names that people have floated around, discussed...whatever. Both probably won't happen, although one could.

 

They trade Jones for Matt Kemp( probably won't happen). They lose around $5.5 million in salary.

 

They trade for Tejada( could happen). They gain roughly $12.5-13 mil(taking off the salaries of the guys they trade, which isn't much).

 

INF-Lee, DeRo, Tejada, ARam

OF Sori, Kemp, Murton (l to R)

C Soto, Blanco(back up)

 

Since Soto is somewhat unknown, I'll leave him alone, for now.

 

That gives you a team where you three worst hitters put up .791, .791 and .799 OPS this year( DeRo, Murton and Tejada). Two of those three were well below their career averages this year, so some correction would be expected. That would be an excellent offense, and much more OBP proficient than we had this year.

 

It would also only cost $5-6 mil more than the starting 8 did this year, figuring what they spent on Jones, Barrett and Kendall all gone and adding Kemp and Tejada.

 

Could a much better starting 8 be constructed? Yes, but again this is but one of a hundred examples.

[Magnetic Curses]

trade marshall while he still has perceived value.

[Guest]

it is proven over again that pitching and defense win games

 

where is the proof and why isn't everyone convinced?

 

I'm not trying to be antagonistic, and am honestly just curious as to the answer to this question...

 

When was the last time what was considered a "bad" defensive team (however that is officially measured) won the World Series?

 

2004